Moorea is part of the Society Islands archipelago which, in turn, is part of French Polynesia. French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France, although I heard residents repeatedly refer to French Polynesia as a country.
As an archipelago, the Society Islands lie in an expanse that is mostly water. As such, aquatic activities, such as snorkeling, is popular there. The first snorkeling excursion IÂ participated in while in French Polynesia took place off the coast of Moorea.
Moorea Snorkeling Site
SOURCE: Â Moorea Snorkeling Site (Moorea, French Polynesia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 April 2016.
My guide was prepared to attract sharks, stingrays, and other fish by throwing chum into the water, and attract them he did.
Black-Tip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
SOURCE: Black-Tip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) (Moorea, French Polynesia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 April 2016.
The black-tip reef sharks I saw were not aggressive towards the humans in the water, being more interested in the chum. Several came close enough that I could have touched them. My guide warned against trying to touch the sharks and I heeded his warning.
Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
SOURCE: Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)Â (Moorea, French Polynesia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 April 2016.
The butterflyfish were much less intimidating.
Vagabond Butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus)
SOURCE: Vagabond Butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus)Â (Moorea, French Polynesia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 05 April 2016.
Copyright © 2016 by Stephen J. Danko
